Financial Advisor Salary in Berkeley, NJ: $122,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Berkeley, NJ earns a median $122,492/year (≈ $58.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Berkeley's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $106,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median salary of $122,492 for 2026, financial advisors in Berkeley, NJ, are earning significantly more than their national counterparts, who average $108,537. This earnings differential reflects Berkeley's unique position in the financial advisory market, influenced by the ongoing shift from traditional wirehouses to fee-only Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). The salary range here spans from $71,046 at the lower end to a robust $189,862 at the upper echelon, indicating considerable growth potential for those who succeed in attracting high-net-worth clients or build substantial assets under management (AUM). These local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations, suggest a competitive job market for financial advisors aiming to establish themselves in the area.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,046 | $34.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,194 | $42.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,492 | $58.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,790 | $75.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,862 | $91.28 |
Median Salary Position
12.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Berkeley
In Berkeley, NJ, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,816 (2026 est.). At $122,492, the local median is 12.86% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Berkeley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Berkeley Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Berkeley median: $122,492/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Berkeley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $124,992 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +12.86% more |
Financial Advisors in Berkeley, NJ earn a median of $122,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $124,992.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Berkeley has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Berkeley, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $122,492 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,330 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,145
2025 BLS Actual
$118,579
2026 Current Est.
$122,492
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,145 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,815 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,278 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,654 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,383 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,028 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,579 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,534 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Berkeley metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $99,145 (2019) to $118,579 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,534 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,389 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berkeley metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.30% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $71,046 – $88,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,194 – $122,492 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,492 – $156,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,790 – $189,862 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Berkeley
Employment for financial advisors remains modest, with only seven professionals currently working in Berkeley. However, the cost of living index stands at 115.2, suggesting that although salaries are higher than the national average, the expense of living in this region places significant pressure on take-home pay. Wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch typically offer competitive salaries due to their established client bases and commission structures. In contrast, RIAs may excel through a fee-based model that fosters stronger client relationships and loyalty. Factors driving the disparity in financial advisor pay in Berkeley, NJ, include the differing fee models, the concentration of high-net-worth clients, and the value of professional credentials like the CFP or CFA. To maximize earnings, financial advisors in Berkeley should consider building a robust AUM portfolio and nurturing client relationships that lead to sustained revenue through advisory fees.
More salary data for Berkeley, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, CFP
Career Analyst
Jordan has over 10 years of experience in financial planning. They specialize in retirement planning for individuals. They work at a financial services firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $118,579 for financial advisorsin the Berkeley metropolitan area. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Berkeley is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.30%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for financial advisors (SOC 13-2052).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov